Toukie Smith was the mother of two children, twins Airyn De Niro and Julian Henry De Niro, whom she shared with legendary Hollywood actor Robert De Niro. The twins were born on October 20, 1995, through surrogacy following in vitro fertilization (IVF). Although both parents were established names in entertainment, their children spent much of their early lives away from public attention. Following Smith’s death on November 4, 2026, at age 74, Airyn and Julian paid an emotional tribute to their mother, remembering her remarkable personality and lasting influence.
Who Are Her Children?
Toukie Smith had two children: Airyn De Niro and Julian Henry De Niro. Born on the same day in October 1995, the twins turned 31 in 2026.
Their father, Robert De Niro, is one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors, while their mother built a successful career in modeling and television.
Despite their famous family background, the twins were raised with considerable privacy. Their parents generally avoided making their childhood a subject of public discussion.
As adults, Airyn and Julian have followed different paths, with both maintaining connections to their family’s artistic background.
Meet Airyn De Niro
Airyn De Niro is Toukie Smith’s daughter and Julian’s twin sister. She gained widespread public attention in April 2025 after speaking openly about her identity as a transgender woman.
In an interview with Them magazine, Airyn discussed her personal journey, her relationship with her family and her experiences growing up as the child of famous parents.
She also expressed admiration for her mother’s strength, elegance and cultural identity.
Airyn has shown interest in acting and creative expression while developing an identity independent of her father’s Hollywood reputation.
Her comments about Toukie highlighted the importance of having a strong Black female role model during her upbringing.
Rather than relying solely on her family’s fame, Airyn has spoken about wanting to establish her own place in the world.
Meet Julian De Niro
Julian Henry De Niro is Toukie Smith’s son and Airyn’s twin brother. Like his sister, Julian spent much of his childhood outside the public spotlight.
However, he has gradually explored opportunities in the entertainment industry.
One of his notable acting appearances came in the 2022 Showtime series The First Lady, in which he portrayed a young Barack Obama.
The historical drama examined the lives of influential American first ladies and their families.
Julian’s appearance attracted interest because of his connection to Robert De Niro, although he has generally avoided extensive publicity.
Unlike many celebrity children who regularly share personal updates online, Julian has maintained a relatively reserved public presence.
His acting work represents one way he has begun developing a professional identity of his own.
Who Is Their Father?
Robert De Niro is the father of Airyn and Julian De Niro. The Academy Award-winning actor welcomed the twins during his relationship with Toukie Smith.
De Niro is internationally recognised for performances in films including Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas and The Irishman.
His relationship with Smith lasted approximately eight years, from 1988 to 1996.
Although they never married, the couple shared the responsibility of raising their children after their romantic relationship ended.
Both maintained relatively private family lives despite their professional visibility.
The twins remain an important part of De Niro’s large family, which includes children from several relationships.
Their Birth Story
Airyn and Julian were born on October 20, 1995, through a gestational surrogate after being conceived using IVF.
Their birth came during a period when assisted reproductive technology was receiving increasing public attention, particularly among high-profile families.
Smith and De Niro chose this path to parenthood while they were together.
Although their relationship ended the following year, both remained connected through their responsibilities as parents.
The circumstances surrounding the twins’ birth have been publicly documented, but the family has generally kept more personal details private.
Their Half-Siblings
Through Robert De Niro, Airyn and Julian belong to a larger blended family.
Their five half-siblings are Drena De Niro, Raphael De Niro, Elliot De Niro, Helen Grace De Niro and Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro.
Drena and Raphael are associated with De Niro’s earlier marriage to Diahnne Abbott.
Elliot and Helen Grace were born during his relationship with Grace Hightower, while Gia Virginia was welcomed in 2023 with Tiffany Chen.
The siblings belong to different generations, reflecting the actor’s family life across several decades.
Although some members of the family have pursued public careers, others have chosen to maintain greater privacy.
Their Mother’s Death
Toukie Smith died on November 4, 2026, aged 74, following a battle with multiple sclerosis.
Her death brought renewed attention to her personal life, including her relationship with Robert De Niro and their two children.
Airyn and Julian released a joint statement remembering their mother as a “force of nature.”
Their tribute reflected the affection and admiration they held for the woman who raised them.
Smith had established herself as a successful model and actress long before becoming widely known for her relationship with De Niro.
Her career included television work, most notably her role as Eva Rawley on the NBC sitcom 227.
She was also the sister of influential fashion designer Willi Smith, whose creative contributions helped shape American fashion.
Her Family Legacy
Toukie Smith’s influence extended beyond modeling, acting and her connection to Hollywood.
For Airyn and Julian, she was a mother whose personality, cultural heritage and determination helped shape their upbringing.
Airyn has publicly acknowledged her mother’s influence on her understanding of identity and womanhood.
Julian, meanwhile, has pursued acting while largely preserving his personal privacy.
Their different experiences demonstrate how the twins have developed individual lives despite sharing a famous family background.
Smith’s legacy continues through her professional achievements and the children she raised.
Final Thoughts
Toukie Smith’s only children were twins Airyn De Niro and Julian Henry De Niro, born on October 20, 1995, with former partner Robert De Niro.
Airyn has spoken publicly about her identity and admiration for her mother, while Julian has explored acting, including his appearance in The First Lady.
Following Smith’s death in November 2026, their heartfelt tribute offered a personal glimpse into the bond they shared with her.
Beyond her accomplishments in fashion and television, Toukie Smith will also be remembered as a devoted mother whose influence remains part of her children’s lives.
